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President Obama refused to back off his support for clean energy initiatives in his State of the Union address, pushing back against some of Republicans' fiercest policy criticisms of his administration.
Obama called for an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy in the speech, promoting the work his administration has done to ease exploration of oil and natural gas. But he doubled down on new incentives for clean energy research and employment amid Republican criticism over the past year on the administration's approach to those initiatives.
The president calls opportunity for all the "defining issue of our time" in his State of the Union Address.
"I will not cede the wind or solar or battery industry to China or Germany because we refuse to make the same commitment here. We have subsidized oil companies for a century. That’s long enough," Obama said. "It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that’s rarely been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits and create these jobs."
That section of the speech seems intended to address some of the most withering criticism from Republicans, who have launched an investigation into whether the administration expedited clean energy loans to Solyndra, the now-defunct clean energy company backed in part by a major Democratic donor.
Moreover, Republicans have loudly criticized the administration's decision to reject an application to build a major transnational oil pipeline between the U.S. and Canada. Republicans said the pipeline was poised to create thousands of jobs.
Obama also took steps to address climate change, decrying Congress for failing to take charge in the battle against global warming. (The Democratic-held House passed a cap-and-trade bill in 2009, but it failed in the Senate despite Democrats' additional control of that chamber.)
"The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change. But there’s no reason why Congress shouldn’t at least set a clean energy standard that creates a market for innovation. So far, you haven’t acted," Obama said. "Well tonight, I will. I’m directing my Administration to allow the development of clean energy on enough public land to power three million homes. And I’m proud to announce that the Department of Defense, the world’s largest consumer of energy, will make one of the largest commitments to clean energy in history –- with the Navy purchasing enough capacity to power a quarter of a million homes a year."
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As long as there are alternative means, there is always room for change. The clean energy initiatives are a no brainer and will be implemented. My bulb just went out.
As long as the weather is above average, the need to address climate change is necessary.
The fact that people dispute climate change is ridiculous. Climate Deniers here: do you also deny evolution and the old earth?
I don't believe Obama will accomplish very much in this regard if he is re-elected, but I am pretty sure the GOP will make things much worse than they already are. The GOP contenders have outspokenly denied climate change. Oh well - the southern states can keep denying the peculiar nature of the strange weather all they want, but it's only going to get worse. How many people will have to die before the government considers climate change a planetary threat, 1000x larger than terrorism ever was?
Yes, but you have to remember, Republicans these days are even more
stupidthan ten years ago. That's prettystupid. Nothing will happen.The President was great tonight, especially with the backdrop of a Republican Party in utter chaos and consumed with radicalism. These energy initiatives are a good start and will create jobs and economic growth as well as foster more energy independence. Meanwhile Mr.
15%14% wants to perform a corporate-style raid on what's left of the government treasury and the Grinch Who Stole Christmas is stirring up lynch mobs and race-baiting throughout the South.The stark contrast between the very presidential Obama and the circus over on the Republican side can only bode well for the President in 2012. If the Republicans double-down and continue to be obstructionists I think Obama will bulldoze them as much as possible and win sweeping support going into November.
If Obama does win re-election, with a decent performance in Congressional seats, we will likely see these new energy initiative actually go into action.
Obama showed his complete lack of understanding of our energy situation in the speech. He made the statement that the US only has 2% of the world's oil reserves. Unless he was just referring to the lower 48, he is woefully misinformed. There are huge oil reserves in Alaska, far more than 2% of the world's reserves. Some estimates say there is more oil still in the ground in Alaska then has been pumped out so far in the world to date. If the US was to develop 75% of all our oil reserves, including ANWR, as Obama proposes in the speech, we can be completely energy independent within 10 years. Add the oil reserves to the 100 year supply of natural gas, and we can be completely free of any dependence on the Middle East in very short order. That is the level of energy reserves that the US really has. The main thing stopping this from happening is the influence and obstructionist tactics of the environmental community. Also, Obama's blocking of the Keystone XL pipeline was a very short sighted move. This pipeline would have brought large amounts of oil to our refineries in the gulf coast as well as much needed jobs to the US.
What did you expect? He also said back when he gave his BP disaster speech that we had to drill out there because there was no where else to go.
@JS in SD -- Someone saying the oil reserves in Alaska are that large - does not make it so. There are no credible reports that make any such claim.
Keystone XL is not dead. Obama sent TransCanada a golden invitation to reapply. As Obama stated tonight during the SOTU - safety trumps politics. Keystone XL is NOT shovel ready - and - construction could not begin until 2013 anyway. TransCanada has already agreed to reroute the pipeline to address the concerns of the Nebraska state government. The engineering work will take time.
By playing politics with the issue - the Republicans just spend more of TransCanada's money because now a new application must be filed. Obama made very clear that the project could not be approved until Nebraska's concerns were addressed AND that creating a political timeline (instead of listening to the businessmen on the ground) would require Obama to reject the plan.
The Republicans made a political decision - not a business decision - and it will cost TransCanada more money. Is that responsible leadership?
I do deny evolution... it's a mythical fairy tale lie fabricated by ignorant men.
i am not exactly sure if this moron knows what he is talking about.
he critisizes oil companies on one hand while saying that natural gas is the way to go.
hey goofy,
the same companies that drill for oil drill for natural gas.
every well has a make up. some are more oil and some are more gas.
the gulf of mexico is made up of mostly natural gas wells (wells that produce more natural gas than oil)
this is the same gulf of mexico that he has completely shut down.
correction the wells in the gulf of mexico are about 50% natural gas and 50% oil.
my point is that one well might produce 80% natural gas and 20% oil while the next well might produce 80% oil and 20% natural gas.
and as a whole In 2007, federal leases in the western and central Gulf of Mexico produced 25% of the nation's oil and 14% of the nation's natural gas.
the gulf of mexico is a very large source of natural gas
http://205.254.135.24/dnav/ng/hist/na1170_sla_8a.htm
gulf of mexico natural gas
http://205.254.135.24/dnav/ng/NG_SUM_LSUM_DCU_SLA_A.htm
it is obvious that this president has no idea what he is talking about when it comes to oil and/or natural gas.
he talks about them like there is some stark differnce in the process of drilling and processing these great US resources.
http://www.oilandgasevaluationreport.com/articles/oil-patch-economics/
Maybe we just put obamas mouth in a bag for wind generation. That's about all that its good for. If obama had any sense he would have said lets put 300 billion into retrofitting service stations into natural gas and transforming cars to become cleaner as well as get us off middle east oil. now, that would be a vision. not some small scale solar garbage I have been hearing about since the late 1970s'
Obama pretty much said exactly what you suggest. Give subsidies to natural gas - not to oil. You would not know it by listening to Republicans - but - natural gas is clean energy. Nuclear is clean energy, too. Solar, wind, etc. are green energies.
I realize the words have the same number of letters and sound similar - but - they do not mean the same thing.
Your comment highlights another point that Obama made during the SOTU - education is critical ...
We need and will need for decades, more oil. Obama has blocked the Keystone Pipeline so his friend Hugo Chevez and the muslim Saudi king can still control our economy along with the Chinese. Green energy is a pipe dream of some inept tree huggers and a very stupid Obama. He thinks anything he says will come true. Electricity rates are going up for everyone thanks to Obama blocking coal mining every way he can. Maybe when electricity rates double and gasoline doubles in price maybe all the Obama worshipers will be pleased with him.
George Douglas, your comments are obviously spawned directly from the pits of ignorance. Green energy is not a pipe dream and is rapidly growing world-wide. Your nearly incoherent attacks on Obama, science and environmentalism are so outrageous that you only reinforce the stereotype of current day Republicans as radical obstructionists.
@George Douglas -- No we won't - you are simply wrong. US oil consumption has dropped over the past 3 years. That is one of the main reasons that the US had a trade surplus for petroleum products. The US really has cut oil imports to less than half of consumption - and - some of those imports were simply processed here and sold offshore.
The US also enjoys a trade surplus for green energies - at the moment. Germany (along with other European countries) are continuing to convert to green energies. China is looking at green energy both as an export product and for internal use. Should we also import more of our green energy than we produce?
Do you own a calculator? It should have a small glass panel on it that provides power. That is a solar cell. Even $4 calculators use solar cells - and - have done so for decades. Who says going green requires converting the power grid?
Nerm, when was the last nuclear power plant built?? What Party is blocking the construction?
Well, the scuttlebutt is that he blocked Keystone because one of Buffet's companies is a rail line that is currently used to transport the oil. Not confirmed, but it would follow Obama's normal modus operandi. Gansta politics.
Tpaine, I heard this as well. I also think that is why he is so gong ho on green energy. He has a lot of his buddies involved in this industry. I do believe that green energy will be a viable source, but in the future. I think presently it has not been perfected enough for the majority to jump on its band wagon. Rome was not built in a day. The automobile was not accepted immediately. Change and new innovations take time. Obama's mistake is trying to force this on us, like he did with health care. It saddens me that he thinks we are so ignorant that we can't decide for ourselves. How insulting!!!!!!
@tpaine-2187267 -- #2.5 -- One of the last major nuclear reactors placed into service was 2009. The reactor is located in the USS George H.W. Bush - CVN-77. The United States has been continuously commissioning nuclear reactors for over 50 years. Both Democrats and Republicans (and some Independents) have approved construction of those nuclear reactors.
The first thing to understand when trying to think outside the box - is to realize there is no box ...
I am a fiscal conservative but a social progressive. I think it is too difficult for a lot of people to understand what natural gas could do for this country and what it would take to do it. If congress would pass a simple piece of legislation that says basically "the USA will spend XXX dollars on converting trucks, buses, semi tractors, etc to Compressed Natural Gas" we, as a country could eliminate $500 billion in foreign oil purchases. That money would stay in the economy and create millions of new jobs and wealth. It is just not going to be easy, but it needs to be done.
Unfortunately President Obama is clueless on a workable energy policy. He is simply sticking his head in the sand and hoping the problem goes away before his reelection run.
I pay 30%-35% for several decades. That is not fair at all. And I am not a millionair or a billionair. I am just one of the 99%. The tax rate has violated the constitutional right.
Everybody should pay 15%. Sounds fair to me.
Did anyone watch Mitch Daniels in the Republican response? Gloom and doom, gloom and doom. I couldn't help but think of the love-lorn leprechaun in the old Finnegan's Rainbow movie.
After 3 years of Obama all we have is gloom, doom, decline, and despair! It doesn't have to be that way if we kick our Arrogant failure of a President to the curb in 2012 like we did another failure, Jimmy Carter in 1980. Time for Obama to go!!!!
Doom, gloom and more doom is what the Republicans have to sell, plus government mandated bans on contraception... that, and say "NO" to everything the President does, obstruct everything and hope to blame everything on the "foreigner" - "Food Stamp" President in the White House...
As opposed to the liberals saying we have to turn our lives over to their wisdom within 10 years or the planet will melt? Dooooommmm!!!!
Whine about Mitt Romney and capital gains tax being too low???
The government knows on how to spend money like welfare programs, cash for clunkers, and Solyndra.
Successful companies paying for certain failure companies so Obama's pals can cash huge checks... That's what Obama is all about.
You OWS scum and envious left wing whackos don't know a thing about economics.
Madison,,, I watched Mitch Daniels speech and was highly impressed with his honesty and knowledge.
Madison ,,exactly what did Obama say ? What is his plan ?
Madison. Obama's most important goal was Obama Care,, yet he now is afraid to even mention it.
Madison,, Obama's own Bi Partisan Commission put forth solutions,, good solutions,, and Obama shunned them ,, and you know why ,, he is so dishonest because his own people know Entitlements are going broke and must be changed ,,, or we all lose,,, yet Obama refuses to address Entitlements, the Deficit, Tax Reform ... how dishonest he is to avoid admitting we have major spending and debt problems that are choking off any real recovery.. Daniels addressed those in an honest way ,, Obama cannot or refuses to address what ever one knows,, America is bankrupt and in trouble,,, yet Obama sticks to his class warfare drivel which is damaging to every American,, Daniels stated clearly that wealth people should not receive the same benefts they have enjoyed because we have limited $ to spend on Entitlements and we have to spend that money on people that need it the worst... and that is not the wealthy... Daniels was honest..
Obama's speech was completely unimpressive. Obama will not work with Republicans,,, he choses to blame all of Congress to try to gain re election ,,, he even defended Solyndra,,, which is undefendable,,,
No Madison ,, Obama is not very smart and completely dishonest.. and Mitch Daniels has proven himself to both Republicans and Democrats in Indiana , he has balanced the budget, attracted new jobs,, and declined running for President,,, because he is talented and honest,,
Madison ,, you need to face reality ,, Socialism does not work ,, Obama is a Socialist on the level of a Car Salesman ,, who spins great dreams ,, but is incompetent at delivering.
The only time he mentioned climate change was:
From Obama’s 2012 StateoftheUnionAddress; One mention of climate
change (crisis):
“The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now
to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change. But there's no reason why
Congress shouldn't at least set a clean energy standard that creates a market
for innovation.”
–This is a crisis?
from whitehouse.gov
Obama wants to take credit for easing the difficulty in exploring for oil and gas while in the same breath proposing to end "tax subsidies" to domestic oil compaines? These subsidies are in fact tax write offs in the event that a company loses a big chunk of change drilling a dry hole. Basically, a company invests a large amount of capital, only to have its investment become nearly worthless, and then according to Obama should be taxed on that expense. Great idea to stimulate domestic production, huh? Oh and by the way, this tax provision has existed in some form close to one hundred years.
As for Keystone XL, perhaps people don't realize that the pipeline is to parallel an existing pipeline? Or that the XL will also carry bakkan oil to refineries releasing a bottle neck and stimulating production? Or is it that people don't understand that two million miles of pipeline already exist in the U.S.? Two million. Gotta love politics.
Actually, it's even worse. He doesn't want legitimate expenses - equipment, leases, etc. - to be declared as legitimate business expenses. In short, he's punishing the energy business, driving up our energy costs, all in the name of raising revenues for the federal government.
Truly a thief dressed up in an Armani suit.
This is like giving a meth addict more meth so they feel better-- until they just drop dead. Then bragging about how nice he is to addicts.
In what has to be one of the most Arrogant, Divisive, and Polarizing SOTU speeches in our nation's history Obama stood by his decision to back Solyndra and the rest of his Green disasters. We already are hearing reports that there are another 11 Solyndra's out there, and most of the almost $50 billion Obama put in the corrupt stimulous bill for Green energy has been flushed down the toilet. Massive payoffs to campaign contributers are leading to not one single watt of additional energy. Meanwhile he kills tens of thousands of jobs by killing the Keystone Pipeline accomplishing nothing but making sure China, rather than the U.S., gets Canadian oil! Obama is a terrible horrible disaster.
Green initiatives in the DoD. Watch for the hybrid tanks or more boondoggles like the AF Academy solar farm.
Liberals always like to use the military to demonstrate their little social engineering projects then wonder why it doesnt translate to people who are allowed to make their own choices.
"I was wrong and got hoodwinked by a bunch of con artists." That would garner my vote, Mr. President.
Domestic energy?? Is he planning to give away another half billion to his solar friends and donors in California and put them back in business. He sure is delaying search for and drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico, but then he's probably still punishing us states for voting red last time round. Obama is an incompetent ass and, worse that most presidents and congressmen, purely interested in himself. At the rate he's going, we'll be a sad socialist country and make Russia look like strict conservatives soon.
To fight science like mr grover, the gop, & the rushbo are doing is like fighting against the sun rising in the morning - statistically. The number of people are growing. 2B-1930. 7B-today. 25B-2090. 300B-2090 if santorum w/ 7 kids gets elected. Not enough fossil fuel for 25B or 300B.
Marshal you are wasting your breath, these are paid Trolls. Just a few more of the jobs that Obama is responsible for.
If he walked on water they would complain that he can't swim
Republicans would rather develop coal burning vehicles. When it comes to the future, they would just sit on their ashes.
right Affinity, they want to act all upset because Obama allowed half a billion to be invested in Solandra. A company here in the states. But these self righteous pimps didn't say a peep when the last administration sent TWELVE BILLION dollars of cash to Iraq. Plane loads of pallets of shrink wrapped hundred dollar bills. Money that was handed out to anyone who said I love USA. Over six billion of it vanished. Good thing all the folks doing the handing out had a R after their name.
No comments about him investigating WallStreet?
"I am asking my Attorney General to create a special unit of federal
prosecutors and leading state attorneys general to expand our
investigations into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages
that led to the housing crisis. This new unit will hold accountable
those who broke the law, speed assistance to homeowners, and help turn
the page on an era of recklessness that hurt so many Americans."
Is he going to take Chris Dodd, Barney Frank and Harold Raines to court!!
Thank You Mr Obama
This president has no intention of getting of off Middle-East oil. Thats the bottom line.
Obama's True State of the Union
Employment at 58% - the lowest since 1983. Long term unemployment at 45.9% of the total – the highest since the 1930’s. $4/gal gas (again). Record high bankruptcies and foreclosures (icons like American Airlines, Sears, K-Mart and Kodak being but the latest). Federal debt at 100%+ of GDP – the highest since WWII. US sovereign debt downgraded for the first time in US history. Home ownership at 59.7% - the lowest since 1965. Most Americans ever on food stamps and in poverty (around 50 million). Only half our minority students graduating from HIGH SCHOOL and 2/3’s of them in single parent homes.
This is the result of six years of misrule and “crony socialism” by Obama-Pelosi-Reid. If you want to see firsthand what The Great Depression looked like, vote Democrat/Socialist and you will.
http://www.oilandgasevaluationreport.com/articles/oil-patch-economics/
obama is out there promoting electric cars like if we buy an electric car we are actually doing something to help the environment.
please do your own research.
how many barrels of oil does it take to build an electric car.
how much fossil fuel does it take to make the electricity to power an electric car.
also electric cars are greatly ineficcient.
by the time the batteries are charged and the vehicle (which is maintained by the average person) actually burns off a full charge much of the energy is wasted.
what will we do with all of the battery waste from electric cars.
acid, lead?
how many times have we driven down back roads for the scenic view and have seen junk cars parked in vacant lots or junk yards.
what are we going to do when all of this battery acid and lead start leaking out into our environment, creeks, drains, ditches.
electric cars will not only "NOT HELP THE ENVIRONMENT" but could actually create more environmentally unsafe and potentially dangerous situations than the cars that we have now.
Do wind turbines cause health problems?
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/wind-turbines-health.htm
wind mill health issues
http://www.savewesternny.org/health.html
The Dangers of Wind Power
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/aug2007/gb20070824_562452.htm